Happy Half Birthday

Dearest Valor,

Happy six months. The time has gone by in a blur! Last night we celebrated your six months of life with a party! You wore a red felt crown with "1/2" proudly on the front. Your Papa, Grandma, Aunt Joy and Uncle Jeremy all came to celebrate you. You opened presents and I made a half cake — dark chocolate layered with raspberry filling and chocolate buttercream frosting.

I cannot believe how many things you've learned to do in the last month! While sucking on your fingers, you've finally found your thumb. You learned how to roll over, tummy to back. Speaking of tummy, you're doing so much better at tummy-time and it makes me so proud. You've been working so hard at it! While laying on your back you can roll side-to-side. You are now reaching out to grab toys and are able to hold onto them. Baby boy, you have the biggest greatest smiles, now paired with screeches of joy! Your lungs are strong and can produce loud, happy screams. You've started to reach towards your toes and you'll probably fully discover them this next month.

I am so happy you are my little boy! You are loved — always and forever,

Mama

Happy Four Month Birthday

See Month 1, Month 2, Month 3

My Valor,

How have four months gone by? This last month especially went by fast as it was filled to the brim. As you continue to grow, I continue to grow more amazed by you. For being so small, you have taught me so very much about life and what is truly important. I've learned so much about true priorities in these last four months and I am eternally grateful.

Valor you love sucking on your fists and I am wondering if you're going to find your thumb. You like to make bubbles with your mouth and are starting to drool quite a bit. This last month you've learned to move all over your crib at night. It is so much fun to come in for your night feedings and see what position you are in each time. You are "talking" a lot and learning to stick out your tongue and make raspberries. And as always, your smiles light up my world! Tummy time is still not your favorite, but we are working on it! Your physical therapist is going to be so happy with the progress you are making — you are turning your head to the left much easier now. Your four month check up isn't for another week, but we are sure excited to see how long you are and how much you weigh! I've heard you giggle a time or two and look forward to hearing more in the next month!

This past month we got to celebrate your very first Christmas! On Christmas Eve, you attended your very first church service. We sat up close, you sat on my lap and enjoyed the music, but when it came to the first prayer, you decided it was time to cry. So you, Daddy and I watched the rest of the service from the crying room. You had your very first sleep over at Grandma and Papa's house on Christmas Eve with me.

I love you more than all the stars in the sky. My love for you is so high, and so wide and so deep. You are loved — always and forever,
Mama

Happy Three Month Birthday

Dear Valor,

Happy three month birthday...a little late. You were three months on 12/2!

Two Sundays ago was our monumental "last day" together. After being a stay-at-home mom for the last three months, I'm now back to work. Our three blissful yet busy months flew by much more quickly than I could have imagined. Some of the time was spent visiting you in the NICU and lots of time was spent on the couch healing as we snuggled and let the house become a mess. I would not change a thing.

I know it sounds so cliche, but you're getting so big! Now that you're three months, I'm back to work. Where has the time gone? I completely cherish every moment that I get to spend with you. In front of my eyes, you have transformed from a newborn into a little baby. I just love getting to know you more and more each day. You've started smiling, and that is my favorite. The whole world fades away when you smile - it's all consuming. This last month, along with smiling, you've discovered your hands. You love sucking and slobbering all over your fists. You've also started chatting away and sticking out your silly tongue while laying on a blanket, kicking your feet.

In the past month we started you in physical therapy for torticollis and we exercise everyday at home. You're doing a great job, and at your last session, the therapist said to keep working and come back in three weeks! Sometimes at home you hate doing the exercises, but when we go to your appointments, you're a big show off. Tummy time is still a very big struggle but we're working on this too.

As for your weight, you don't have an appointment until January - a four month checkup. We are thinking you may be around 11 pounds! You've just grown out of the newborn size clothes and diapers. You're now wearing 0-3 month outfits and size 1 diapers.

We still don't have a routine, except for bedtime. The nighttime wakings vary - up from one to three times - you eat and go right back to sleep - I don't mind getting up with you one bit. During the day, you sometimes nap in our arms but sometimes if we can put you down without crying, you nap in the MamaRoo. At night you've been sleeping in your own nursery in the big boy crib.

You went on your first road trip to Ohio for Thanksgiving. You did great in the car, just needing to stop for feedings. You got to see your great grandparents, meet your second cousins and your great uncles.

How are you already three months old? What happened to my tiny four pound baby? You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do sweet boy...growing, learning, and thriving. Baby boy, you bring endless joy. I still spend a lot of time just staring at you. You are so special and I am reminding myself to cherish every moment with you, because these days with my little Valor are numbered.

I love you — always and forever,
Mama

Month 1 | Month 2

Valor — Two Month Birthday

Dear Valor,

Happy two months! Time has flown. I can't believe it's been two months, but at the same time I feel like you were always here...always part of our family. Now that you are here, I can't imagine even a minute without you. Last night laying in bed I told your daddy that I missed you, even though you were just in the next room. You my little Valor bring so much joy and happiness to our lives.

You've grown at a crazy rate. You have moved from your premie clothes, into newborn clothes! You're already starting to lose your baby looks and are looking more like a little boy. You celebrated your first Halloween and dressed up as a skeleton...the cutest skeleton I have ever seen. Every day you're much more alert and ready to play. I think you're a morning person, just like me. The evening hours are tough as you cry and just want to be swaddled, fed, held and rocked.

You, my son, are the most important thing to your daddy and me. Over the past month, daddy and I made a big family decision. When I return to work, I'll be cutting down my hours so that I can be home more with you. Our time with you is so precious and fleeting. Though things may be a bit tighter, you my handsome wide-eyed boy are so worth every less dollar. This time is cherished as we do not know what tomorrow may bring - we clearly saw with your traumatic birth story. I am eager to snuggle and go on adventures these extra days together!

As we celebrate your two months with us, all I feel is blessed. Blessed that you're my boy. Blessed that you came early for some bonus days. Blessed that you are healthy. Blessed that you're growing. You are truly a gift!

I love you — always and forever,
Mama

Want to compare with Valor's month one photo? Check it out here.

Valor - One Month Birthday

Dear Valor,

Today we celebrate your one month birthday. Your Great Grandpa and Grama called and sang you "happy birthday." Your Grandma and Grandpa Y are here snuggling you tight today. You truly are our miracle baby and our greatest adventure. I thank The Lord each day that you were spared and healthy, even though you had such a traumatic entrance into the world.

Oh babe, every day I just can't stop admiring you. I can't help but smile. No baby has ever been so perfect - your little features - your expressionful face - your full head of hair - just how teeny tiny you are!

You finally learned how to breastfeed just in time for your actual due date. I think it even helped you fatten up! When we brought you home from the NICU you were 4 pounds 6 ounces, but we went to the doctor the other day, you claimed the blue-weight gaining-champion ribbon. You tipped the scale at 6 pounds 7 ounces, the same weight as your Grandma W when she was born!

Valor, you love when I sing "you are my sunshine" and it usually calms you down. Braxton, your big fur ball brother loves to sniff you. My heart melts seeing Daddy love on you. But most of all, you are such a snuggly cuddle bug and I think that is my most favorite.

So happy one month birthday Dear One. I'm so glad our roller coaster adventure the last month gave us you. We are truly blessed.

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

I love you - forever and always,
Mommy